Paris, France– Citroen aficionados will be intrigued to know that the French car maker is reviving the DS name.

Citroen says DS means 'different spirit'.

The
French-made Mini Cooper rival is called the DS Inside Concept and is
the precursor to the DS3, which will be the first of many new
models to use the DS naming convention.

Other models to follow
will include a Volkswagen Golf-sized DS4 and a
mid-to-large-sized Honda Accord Euro rival to be named the
DS5.

The Citroen DS is one of Europe's most famous cars, first
seen in 1955 when it was hailed as a revolutionary, radical design. To
this day it is often cited by many car designers as the most beautiful
car of all time (see image right, below).

Citroen will use the new DS brand to take as a more upmarket, luxury line.

With
this new range it hopes to rival vehicles from BMW and other
European prestige car makers, and the design of its first model, the
DS3, will on display at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland.

The new design isn't as radical as the original 1955 DS model, but it is a good-looking French car.

As
you can see on the right-hand image column, Citroen has also designed
what appears to a DS-themed iPhone-inspired gadget, which could be used
to operate various car functions.

Measuring around 4.2 metres in
length and boasting a diesel-electric powertrain with a 51kW (70hp)
1.4-litre HDi diesel, the new models are expected to include
hybrid across the range when they are go on sale in Europe in 2010.

Here's the official press release:

CITROËN
is today launching a new line of products to broaden its current range.
The new line will consist of three new cars, positioned in the small,
medium and large car segments, launched successively from 2010.

The
first illustration of this new product line is the CITROËN DS
INSIDE concept car. The concept car and vehicle line are characterised
by forthright choices on styling, onroad performance and use. These are
accessible objects of desire, cars that stand apart by their
creativity, intelligent design and build quality, embodying the very
best of CITROËN. The new product line will perfectly illustrate
CITROËN's new spirit of "Créative Technologie".

The
new line will also have a new naming system. Like the main range
vehicles, which carry the letter C and a number, and, like the MPVs,
which sport the Picasso signature, the new models will feature a
special name: the DS line.

DS
stood and continues to stand for a new approach to automobiles and the
future. CITROËN is taking inspiration from its design DNA to
strengthen the positioning of its new product line. The range instills
the different spirit, that the name DS inspires. Hence the distinctive
model line up will be called DS3, DS4 and DS5. DS: Different Spirit.